It’s been known for weeks that the Browns and Falcons violated league rules via sending in-game texts to the coaching staff and using artificial crowd noise, respectively. By next week, the punishments will be known publicly.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that both teams were informed during the league meetings that the discipline is expected to be announced next week. Per Schefter, the teams already have been privately informed of the looming punishment. One source told him the discipline for both teams is expected to be “severe.”
At the Scouting Combine last month, there was talk of the Falcons losing a second- or third-round pick for using artificial crowd noise in 2013 and 2014. The Browns reportedly are bracing for a multi-game fine for G.M. Ray Farmer, possibly along with the loss of one or more draft picks.